Review of Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011) by Tom R — 07 Mar 2012
(2 Stars) Jim Carrey is funny in Mr. Popper's Penguins; it's the penguins that are not. I'm not saying this because I hate animals... I love animals; I just don't like when they're so clearly computer generated and objects of fart jokes and pratfalls. Perhaps if it were called "Mr. Popper" and there were no penguins at all, this would be a fun movie. Some jokes are worth snickers, some jokes fall flat, but the main reason everyone will see this movie is Jim Carrey and penguins. It's a cute setup for a kids movie that adults could find some enjoyment with, but there's a fatal flaw in the film...
The worst thing about it is its asinine lesson: all animals need to survive is love and a little insanity instead of proper care. A zoo official (Clark Gregg) tells Mr. Popper (Jim Carrey) that penguins belong in a zoo, where they will live a long life with veterinary care. But because he wants his kids to like him, Popper declines and goes out of his way to ruin his life and raise the penguins in his New York apartment. It's more horrifying than cute and halfway through the movie, it seems like you're watching Popper go insane. If you do not cheer for the antagonist, then DO NOT adopt any pets. The "bad guy" is the only one who makes any sense. Plus, he's not really that bad as he does very little that would make him appear antagonistic. If anything, the zoo official cares for the penguins more than Popper as he's thinking logically.
But if you like animal movies and can turn your mind off to logic, you may find entertainment in Mr. Popper's Penguins. I wish I was watching another Jim Carrey comedy.
This review of Mr. Popper's Penguins (2011) was written by Tom R on 07 Mar 2012.
Mr. Popper's Penguins has generally received mixed reviews.
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